Labour should stand tall as the party of the EMA

By Wes Streeting / @WesStreeting

The Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA), created by Labour to support 16-19 year olds whose household income is less than £30,810 per year, is one of this government’s great achievements. Research published today by the National Union of Students (NUS) shows that it’s making a real difference to young people in hardship, but also that certain steps are needed to make it even more effective.

NUS surveyed over 1,600 students in further education aged between 16 and 19. We found that 55% of those in receipt of the EMA would not have been able to continue in further education without it. It has made, and continues to make, a significant impact on students’ ability to meet the rising costs associated with their studies. While it was designed to provide an incentive for progression to further education amongst 16 and 17 year olds and improve retention, it is clear that when the government raises the education and training leaving age to 18, the EMA will have a key role to play in ensuring that full time study remains affordable for those from low income families.

But our polls also shows plenty of room for improvement. 4 out of 10 students from poorer backgrounds told us that they still struggle to meet maintenance costs, in spite of receiving the EMA.

A number of concerns were also expressed about the application and assessment process. 20% of students found the application process ‘difficult’ or ‘very difficult’. The assessment process also fails to take into account the number of children in a household (in common with other means tested benefits, including grants and loans for students in HE) and also lacks the flexibility to reassess those whose family circumstances change dramatically during the course of the year, such as long-term sickness or redundancy.

Colleges have also been found wanting in their processing of EMA entitlements. While it is right that the payment of the EMA should be reliant on attendance, our research uncovered some cases where colleges had failed to process a payment due to absence caused by doctor’s appointments and ill health.

At the coming election, Labour can rightly be proud of its commitment to the EMA, in stark contrast to the vacillation and lacklustre support of the opposition parties. Labour should demonstrate that it’s the only party wholly and proudly committed to the EMA, not simply by defending the current provision, but by extending its reach and effectiveness further.

Labour should:

* Commit to raising the top rate of the EMA to £40 per week, in line with what the rate would currently be had inflation been applied since its introduction in 2004.

* Allow students to apply for re-assessment mid year, where family circumstances have changed

* Strengthen guidance to colleges on ‘Reasonable Authorised Absence’ to ensure that those who are absent for good reason do not find themselves unfairly penalised.

Youth opportunity should be a key policy battleground at this election. Labour must set out a stall to be the only party committed to defending and extending the EMA.

The NUS will be launching the EMA survey results and holding a rally to defend and extend the EMA tonight in Parliament, from 6-8pm at the Wilson Room in Portcullis House. Guest speakers include DCSF Minister Iain Wright MP.